UAE, EU deepen trade ties, advance CEPA negotiations in Brussels

The UAE and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during a meeting in Brussels.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, met with Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade, to review progress following the first round of CEPA negotiations, held in June and early July. The discussions served as a platform to assess ongoing developments and reinforce the shared objective of deepening trade, investment and economic cooperation. Both sides expressed optimism and the long-term benefits of the agreement.

In 2024, non-oil trade between the UAE and the EU reached $67 billion, reflecting a 2.4 per cent increase over the previous year. The EU remains one of the UAE’s most significant trade partners, accounting for 8.3 per cent of its total non-oil trade.

“The European Union is a highly valued trade and investment partner for the UAE, with ties that continue to deepen across a range of sectors. This growth in trade is aligned with our mutual interests and highlights the importance of collaboration in areas such as energy transition, advanced technology and food security,” said Dr. Al Zeyoudi.

During the meeting, both parties discussed strategies to expand investment in high-growth sectors, including renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. The UAE has already developed strong partnerships with several EU member states, supported by active joint projects in solar energy and innovative technologies.

As the UAE continues to diversify its economy, the CEPA programme remains a key pillar of its foreign trade agenda. A successful UAE-EU CEPA is expected to enhance market access, attract investment and support sustainable economic development across both regions.